Being Gainfully Unemployed is actually a state of minda spiritual
awakening and a way of life. Or, it is the fact that you decided to quit
your day job and do something fun and exciting. Or, it could be that
renting snorkels on a beach in Mexico provides a better chance for
advancement. It is whatever you want it to be! The idea behind becoming
Gainfully Unemployed is to work for yourself in such a way that you can
actually do better for yourself than as a full-time employee for someone
else.
I've always been a highly schedule-oriented individual. I need to have an
organized list of tasks that direct me toward an ultimate goal. With that,
I knew that if I was ever going to leave my full-time job, I had to sit down
and map out my direction. Of course, I had no idea which direction I was
going, so I had to figure that out as well.
This article provides an overview of the steps I took in developing my plan
of attack. I had to determine what I wanted, where I wanted to go, and how
I had to get there.
Prepare Your Plan
The plan is the most important part of starting out on your new endeavor.
It is essential to map out your direction so to know how to get to where you
want to go. The also plan helps you know when you get there. It can be
used for motivation, direction, ideas, and helping to keep you on track when
your brain starts down a tangent.
The plan itself is based on three important items:
the Mission,
the Vision, and
your Goals.
The Mission is a short statement about your overall directionwhat you
plan to do. The Vision identifies where you might see yourself in five
yearsyour long term objective and direction. The Goals identify
short-term objectivesthe stepping stones to achieve your Mission and
reach your Vision.
Set Yourself Up
There are two ways to make it happen for you: quit your job now or set
yourself up to be able to step off into a comfortable opportunity. I would
suggest the latter as life is much easier when you make it happen your way
instead of having to claw and pray that you can pay your bills.
You need to start talking with potential clients and get your name out
there. You also need to begin work right away in the direction you want to
go by working at night and weekends to make it happen. This step will test
your abilities at handling your new venture before you leave your full-time
job. If you can't make it happen on a part-time basis, then stop here and
keep your day job.
Prepare Your Business
The type of business entity and direction you select is important for
professional presentation and for tax purposes. It is important to
research your direction and match it against a business entity that will
best meet your needs.
Market Your Product or Service
Selecting your market is very important for success. You want to make
sure that the market you select suits your product or service (i.e.,
telecommuting freelance work, etc.) You don't want to have to wrestle with
potential clients to make a saleyou want your product or service to be
accepted. You can storm the walls later, just make it happen for now.
Pack Away the Money
While you are working full-time, make sure to pack away that extra money for
when you make your leap. There are various ways to determine when you are
financially ready for the leap and ways to make sure you don't go broke in
the process.
Easy Does It
Make sure that everyone in your family is prepared for the change. Also,
make sure that you have established yourself so that you can walk into your
new endeavor with confidence. This is just as important as finances! Your
new work environment and lifestyle will affect everyone differently.
Quit Your Job
We reach that glorious day when you quit your full-time job. Do it with
dignity and style. You never know, your former employer could be your first
client and your best reference for other clients.
About the Author
Edward B. Toupin is a freelance consultant, writer, and published author
living in Las Vegas with his singer/actress wife. He currently handles
technical writing tasks for various companies in New York, Chicago, and
Denver as well as imagineers and markets feature-length screenplays.